Conscientious

That's what I am.....conscientious. These are some things that came back to me from the personality profile.

• reserved
• approach to work is systematic
• pays attention to details
• focuses attention on immediate task
• prefers to stick to established guidelines and practices
• likes to plan for change
• needs high standards
• needs appreciation
• needs quality work
• fears criticism of work
• fears imperfection
• speaks thoughtfully, precisely with pauses for thinking (don't interrupt)
• basically introverted, can engage in social conversation when the occasion warrants

There's plenty more general assessment but these are the main ones. All pretty very accurate. It was a good day, a little emotional in parts but uplifting as well. We discussed the art of listening and how to do it properly; the different ways people learn; and the four personality groups.

What was the main thing I took/learnt from the day? During a break, while standing on an inside window ledge staring down at the city and river below (through floor to ceiling windows) I came to the absolute realisation that it's ok to be me. I have long struggled with the fact that I don't socialise comfortably, am more than happy with my own company, have a small circle of friends and could easily go for days without speaking to another human being if I had to. In the past I've seen these traits as negatives, parts of my character that I needed to change to be a better person. I've tried to be more outgoing or extroverted but it hasn't worked. It's just not me. So now I feel a little more at peace with myself, for now at least.